TACLOBAN CITY – In its ongoing effort to make government services more accessible to remote communities, the provincial government of Eastern Samar recently brought its flagship “SeRVisyo Caravan” to Barangay Balagon, the farthest barangay in Can-avid town, located along the Can-avid River.
The outreach also benefited residents of nearby barangays Salvacion, Boco, and Pandol, which, like Balagon, are isolated and difficult to reach.
Balagon is a three- to four-hour motorboat ride from the town proper, with each trip costing at least P200, making travel both expensive and burdensome for locals.
Among the 2,093 residents who availed of the services was 66-year-old Aida Julianes, a farmer from Balagon, who expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to access essential services without leaving her community.
“This is a big help. Even as he [the governor] is just starting, he already came here. We are truly happy that he is already serving our farthest barangay,” she said in Waray dialect.
82-year-old Virginia Juliado, another resident, said this was the first time she witnessed multiple government services made available directly in their village.
“This is a rare opportunity for us,” she said, especially for seniors like her who have difficulty traveling to Can-avid or Borongan City for medical or legal needs.
Barangay chairperson Nerizza Gales also thanked the provincial government, saying the caravan spared residents from the costly and physically demanding trip to the capital.
“We are very grateful. We no longer need to go to Borongan… Here in our barangay, our concerns are already being addressed,” she said.
Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone, who personally led the activity, assured residents that his administration is committed to reaching far-flung communities. He also announced that starting next year, college students from these remote areas can apply for the “Isang Propesyonal, Isang Pamilya” scholarship program.
The SeRVisyo Caravan offered services in coordination with multiple national agencies and local partners like the Department of Health, Public Attorney’s Office, Department of Agriculture, Philippine Statistics Authority, and Department of Labor and Employment.
The provincial government vowed to continue the SeRVisyo Caravan in other geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) to bring governance closer to the people.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
